Providence RI vs St. Charles MO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
St. Charles, MO
Missouri · Population: 71,542
- Median HH Income$55,578
- Median Home Price$144,200
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+22.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Providence
190,214
Providence +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Providence
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Providence
32.9
Providence +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Providence
40.7%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
St. Charles
6.7%
Asian
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Providence
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 71,542 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 37.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 32.8% | 4.2% | Providence + |
| White | 40.7% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 13.3% | 6.7% | Providence + |
| Asian | 5.9% | 1.4% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 44.3% | 7.7% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
St. Charles
$55,578
Per Capita Income
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
St. Charles
$31,499
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
St. Charles
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Providence
7.4%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
Providence
20.1%
St. Charles
18.7%
St. Charles +
Bachelor's Degree+
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | Providence, RI | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,772 | $55,578 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,694 | $31,499 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,538 | $58,527 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 18.7% | St. Charles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.7% | 22.7% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Providence
$429,449
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Providence
41.2%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Providence, RI | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,449 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
174
Providence +
St. Charles
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
1303
Providence +
St. Charles
2418
| Metric | Providence, RI | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 174 | 501 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1303 | 2418 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
St. Charles
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
11.5%
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Providence
19.6%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Providence
14.6%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Providence
16.7%
Providence +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
St. Charles
12.5%
| Metric | Providence, RI | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 35.9% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 10.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 18.4% | Providence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.5% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Providence
75.0%
Providence +
St. Charles
55.0%
| Metric | Providence, RI | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Providence + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Providence
27.4 min
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Providence, RI | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Charles. St. Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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